Kansas lawmakers are considering raising the minimum age for marriage to 18. A bill introduced by Representative Stephanie Clayton would eliminate an exception in state law that allows 16 and 17-year-olds to get married with a parent’s consent. Current law also allows 15-year-olds to marry with a judge’s permission. Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, says people under the age of 18 are not allowed to make other legally binding decisions. “it really is the only adult thing that children can do, and I think it’s due to a lot of outdated notions and just, you know, ideas about marriage,” she said. Clayton proposed a similar bill two years ago, but it failed to advance.
Seven states have banned marriage for people under 18. Research shows that most underage marriages involve teen girls who marry adult men.
